Bluffton's B.J. Hill signs with North Greenville

File photo B.J. Hill, center, cuts up the sideline for a big gain in Bluffton High's SCHSL Region 8-AAAA game at Fort Dorchester last season.

Bluffton High School has another name to add to the list of athletes who will go on to play sports at the collegiate level. Senior football player B.J. Hill signed with North Greenville University on Wednesday.

Hill, who is a multi-sport athlete and played a multitude of positions in football, will be sorely missed for his talent, discipline and leadership, Bluffton coach Ken Cribb said.

“We are really going to miss B.J.,” Cribb said. “The type of person he is and his dedication and his discipline are the reason we as coaches are here doing this.

“We stress three ingredients here: Character, pride and work ethic, and he has them all.”

Hill’s future was a bit unsure after the first football game last season. On the opening kickoff at Whale Branch, Hill was brought down by a horse-collar tackle, which resulted in a high ankle sprain.

“Just as he was about to break open, he was tackled by that last guy,” Cribb said. “Thankfully, it wasn’t broken and he was able to return.”

Despite appearing in seven of 11 games because of his high ankle sprain, Hill led the Bobcats with 602 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

In addition to his running back duties, Hill also played safety, cornerback and quarterback at times, depending on the game plan, the situation and whichever coach was lucky enough to get him in on a particular play.

“(Defensive coordinator) Tommy Adams always tried to use him as much as he could,” Cribb said. “He’s just that valuable on the field.”

Ultimately, it was his skill as a safety that had North Greenville eyeing him, and Hill could not be any happier.

“It’s such a relief having signed and knowing where I’ll be next fall,” Hill said. “North Greenville just felt like the right place for me because it seems like family and the academics are great.”

Hill, who plans to study education with a minor in sports management and has an eye on coaching in the future, was grateful for the help and support he received from his family and his coaches.

“My family, my mother and my father have been very supportive during this whole process,” he said. “I couldn’t have done this without them having my back.

“Coach Cribb and coach Adams also helped me a lot by making calls and helping to get the word out about me—they were great.”

Asked if Hill’s knowledge of the game, work ethic and leadership skills could one day translate into a successful coaching career, Cribb was quick to answer.

“If that’s what he ends up doing, he’d have a job here in a heartbeat,” he said. “They don’t make many kids like B.J., he’s one of a kind.

“He’s always ready to work, always ready to lead and he’ll always give you a smile.”